B48 Sicilian Defence: Taimanov

ECO code B48 covers the Taimanov Variation of the Sicilian Defence with 6.Be3, reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3. Black's queen on c7 controls e5 and supports a later ...b5, while 6...a6 keeps White's knights off b5. White then chooses a setup. 7.Qd2 followed by 8.O-O-O is the English Attack approach, with opposite-side castling and a kingside pawn advance with f3 and g4. 7.Qf3 brings the queen to the kingside early. 7.Bd3 with 8.O-O is a quieter plan in which White keeps the king on the kingside and can follow with f4.